Author Spotlight - Cherie Le Clare

Cherie's latest novel, Kiwi Kiss, debuts from The Wild Rose Press today. Please join me in welcoming her into the Minxy spotlight.

1.Where were you in your writing career 5 years ago?

Unpublished and frustrated! But, when my romance novel was commended in a national contest that year, my confidence gained a much-needed boost.

2. Where did you get the idea from for this particular book?

I think it was when I discovered a photo of my dad in his army uniform during World War Two. This made me wonder what the war had been like for the women “keeping the home fires burning” while the men were overseas.

3. Where do you hope to be in 5 years time?

Making a comfortable living from published novels.

4. Which was the last book you read that you wish you'd written?

“The Perfect Rake” by Anne Gracie.

5. Was there any particular author or book that made you want to be a writer?

I was possibly influenced by Louisa May Alcott’s books, as I’ve never forgotten her characters in “Little Women” etc.

6. Do you find writing love scenes giggle-worthy or cringe-worthy – or neither?

Writing erotica is the most outrageous fun you can have with your clothes on!
And ‘Softer’ scenes become much less embarrassing the more you write them. But I suspect I have a tendency to rush them a bit. I read somewhere recently that love scenes should last at least three pages…

7. What's the most romantic moment of your life so far?

Is it okay to admit I’m still waiting?? Having said that, dining with my husband in Paris, on a cobbled terrace under the stars, while serenaded by a cellist, was romantic.

8. What do you wish you'd known about being an author before you were published?

That publishing one book will not pay the bills.

9. What's the best writing advice you've ever been given?

To grab the readers’ attention in the very first sentence. And, if you stay true to yourself your audience will find you – eventually

10. Tell us about your latest release.

KIWI KISS is a spicy-rated historical romance set in New Zealand during World War Two, at the time American troops were stationed there.

Nineteen-year-old Ruby Miller knows pain and loss. After catching her fiancé in the arms of another, the last thing she wants is to fall in love again, but handsome American soldier Mac Mackenzie is hard to resist.

Mac, too, preparing to leave the South Pacific haven to battle against the Japanese, strives to avoid any emotional entanglement, but since he met Ruby, he's rethinking his decision.

They both know what they want, but when tragedy draws them closer, how long can they hold out against what they both need?

11. What’s next for you?

I’m judging two international romance writing contests again this year, which I enjoy. And I plan to complete the third book in the KISS collection, following on from FRENCH KISS and KIWI KISS.

Please visit me at www.cherieleclare.com or www.cherieleclare.com/blog/ where you can read author interviews and win books throughout May.
Purchase KIWI KISS at www.thewildrosepress.com

Cherie is giving away an ebook as part of our Minxy Month birthday celebration. Leave a comment on this post to be entered in the draw, and don't forget to check back here on Friday for the winner announcement.

April Challenge and May Celebration

Congratulations to everyone who took up our April Challenge. I hope you did way better than I did! Sadly not many of us Minxes achieved our stated goals, but at least we all got writing again, and have more words than we started the month with.

A loud cheer goes to Lacey Minx and Gaelikaa who both did a terrific job in April.

On 10th May this blog celebrates its first birthday. In order to celebrate this grand occasion, the whole month of May will be one big party on the blog.

Each Monday in May we’ll pose a question. Leave the answer in the comments section and we’ll choose one correct answer to win a prize. Each Wednesday we’ll also be giving away a book to one lucky commenter.

Finally, we’ll be giving away a Grand Prize at the end of the month. Details of the Big Birthday Contest will be posted on Monday 9th May.

To start the ball rolling, here is the first week’s question: Whose marriage did the UK (and most of the western world) celebrate last week?
A - The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall
B - The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
C - The Duke and Duchess of Kent

The prize is one of these cute Minxy Meerkats, courtesy of Minx Jo C. (Personally I just adore the Star Trek ones!). Jo will announce the winner on Friday, when she posts the new Hottie poll contenders for May.

The April poll (English Hotties) was a clear victory for Daniel Craig from start to finish, though I was interested to see that Colin Firth rallied towards the end.

And on this happy note I will leave you with these completely gratuitous images of our winner.

Enchanted?

Even if it's not your cup of tea, chances are you've heard of a certain high profile event taking place today (the extra Bank Holiday in the UK is a bit of a giveaway). Whether you're an avid royal follower or just vaguely interested to see Kate Middleton's dress it's unlikely the wedding will totally pass you by.
Now I'm not particularly interested in the royals, nor did I dress up as a princess as a little girl (I was more interested in toy cars!) yet I'll admit the vague thought "I wonder if William is too young for me?" has er, at times crossed my mind. The lure of crossing the line from daydream to becoming an actual princess, however unpalatable the reality might be, is an enduring one. It's why royal romances or 'grown-up Princess Diaries' sell as well as they do.

So, now William is off the market and Harry is too young for most of us are there any single princes out there in need of a princess?

Well actually yes, Prince Carl Phillip of Sweden (left) is currently single after the end of a long term relationship (according to wiki!). Placed 9th on the Forbes List of 'Hottest Young Royals' he is very sporty. If the very

idea of an arduous cross country skiing race brings you out in a sweat he might not be the prince for you.

Andrea Casiraghi (right) is grandson of the Prince of Monaco and heir to an Italian oil fortune. Charity work in Africa and an interest in international development give him a more serious edge but he's frequently papped as another 'hot young royal' when out and about.

Hmm, Andrea has left me itching with a new story idea but out of pure

dedication to the cause I'll continue with our next prince - the Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, who coincidentally is a guest at today's royal wedding. The Sheikh was appointed as crown prince of Dubai in February 2008, according to his father's decree. He's another sporty

prince - known as a competitive equestrian. Now I'm thinking Riders, Polo, Jilly Cooper... Okay back from my tangent. Next up we have Prince Albert von Thurn und Taxis (right), he's been listed many times as the World's youngest billionaire (he was aged 8 when he first appeared on the list). And no, he has nothing to do with taxis but does happen to be an enthusiastic racing driver!

Or if you're thinking of writing a royal romance how about a modern Riva twist - Princess Victoria of Sweden is currently the only female heir-apparent in the world (though there are several females who are heiresses-apparent of an heir-apparent) after brother Prince Carl (above) was pushed into second place by a change in the law allowing the firstborn to inherit the crown regardless of gender. She finally married her personal trainer last year after a long courtship. Without royal blessing she would have lost the throne but in the manner of all happy endings approval was granted. Now that's a tale to stir the romance writer in me, but first I need to check out Kate's dress...

Click here for a list of Dreamy Kings and Hunky Princes (fictional). And confess, leave a comment and tell us all - we want to know who your dream princes are, fictional or otherwise. (Also if someone else feels like confessing to daydreaming about marrying William it will spare my blushes ;-)

Our honorary princess today is Ellie Swoop who is the winner of Christina Courtenay's book. Please contact us with your address Ellie and we'll pass your details on.

Author Spotlight - Dee Tenorio

Today's guest is a multi-published author, with books available through Samhain Publishing and Carina Press .... Dee Tenorio.

[PS: we Minxes are especially pleased to have Dee here today, as in her other life she is a host at the eHarlequin community forum, where we Minxes first met.]

Thanks for stopping by here today Dee.

1. Where were you in your writing career 5 years ago?

I was working on my fourth book, trying to tell myself I could get it done on time despite having 2 month old twin girls and no sleep, lol.

2. Where did you get the idea from for this particular book?

Well, my sister had passed away, so I was in a very dark place. A place I’m not sure I could have survived without my husband’s enduring support.Writing was virtually impossible and we traveled the Ortega (Hwy 74) quite often to visit my mother. Most people don’t survive accidents on that road and as I was driving home one night I thought, “So what happens to the people who do? What happens to people who don’t have the support I did?” So, Shaken is a story born out of pain, showing that love really can help in the worst of times.

3. Where do you hope to be in 5 years time?

Well, it’s possibly vain of me, but I do have these fantasies of being stocked in every store, with a home of my own and a career that allows me to do the best for my family.

4. Which was the last book you read that you wish you'd written?

“Bonds Of Justice” by Nalini Singh. There’s such honest love, passion and depth to the passages of that book. Siiiiiigh…

5. Was there any particular author or book that made you want to be a writer?

Well, I’ve always loved writing, but I especially had a deep love for Lois Duncan’s novels and Daphne du Maurier’s “Rebecca”. That book inspired me greatly.

6. Do you find writing love scenes giggle-worthy or cringe-worthy – or neither?

LOL! Love scenes are hard work, really. I want so bad for them to be more than Tab A and Slot B and a lot of thrusting. I try my best to make them mean something to the characters.

7. What's the most romantic moment of your life so far?

Every time my husband walks towards me, that look on his face that’s intense and says, “I’m gonna kiss you and you’re going to be happy about it.” *fans self* I LOVE it when he does that.

8. What do you wish you'd known about being an author before you were pubbed?

How long it would take to become a published author, lol. That could have saved a lot of frustration. LOL! Also, I wish I knew as much now about editing.

9. What's the best writing advice you've ever been given?

Trust yourself. You’ll be surprised where your stories can take you.

10. Tell us about your latest release.

My last release is an erotic novella called “Shaken”, about a couple in the verge of divorce, their once idyllic life obliterated by the death of their young daughter. When the hero, Dr. Grant Sullivan, tries desperately to win his wife, Julia, back, an earthquake traps them in an elevator, leaving them no way to run from their pain and one last chance to find one another again.

11. What’s next for you?

Quite a few things, actually. I have an erotic romantic comedy anthology I’m part of coming out at the end of May, self-pubbed, and the sequel to last year’s paranormal romantic suspense with Carina Press, Deceiving The Protector coming out in August. I’m SO excited about both of them!

Shaken is available from Samhain Press here.

You can follow Dee on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace, and visit her blog or her website for updates on her books. And don't forget to check her out on YouTube!

What's wrong with Brad?

I'm sure Brad Pitt would be devastated if he ever found out - but he just doesn't do it for me. Which is odd, because I've always found pretty, blue-eyed, blond men attractive.

Give me  the near identical Robert Redford (I don't care what anyone says, they must have jumped out of the same gene pool)- when he was young, of course - and I'll oblige by going immediately weak at the knees.

And as for Josh Holloway...well...I'm speechless at the very thought.

But, to me, Brad just isn't hero material. Perhaps it's the fact he did the dirty on Jen. I know it was years ago, but can there anything less attractive than a man who'll cheat on his wife? This is such a horrid thing to do I'm still not sure about Alan Rickman after he was unfaithful to Emma Thompson in Love Actually - and that was only a film.

Everything seems to be in the right place and in the right proportions, so why don't I find Brad as attractive as he should be?